Train-order-holding device.



No. 629,455. Patented July 25, I899. Z. MERIDETH.

TRAIN ORDER HOLDING DEVICE.

(Application and June 6, 1898.),

(No Model.)

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atto'zmmt PATENT FFICE.

ZACHARY MERIDETH, OF EMPORIA, KANSAS.

TRAIN-ORDER-HOLDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,45 5, dated July 25, 1899.

Application filed June 6, 1898. Serial No. 682,693. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ZAOHARY MERIDETH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Emporia, in the county of Lyon and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Train-Order-I-Iolding Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference. being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to train-order-holding devices for the purpose of holding messages, mail-matter, and articles of various kinds, so that as the same is suspended in close proximity to a moving train or the like it maybe conveniently caught by the engineer or other trainman on the car, and thus obviate the necessity of stopping and delaying the train.

With these and other objects in view my invention resides in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and in the various details thereof, as will be first fully pointed out in the specification and then claimed.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like symbols of reference represent corresponding parts in the several views, Figure I is a perspective view of the de-' vice in operative position. Fig. 2 is a detail of the message-holding portion, and Fig. 3 is the handle portion of the same.

A represents the handle portion of the device, the same consisting of the crescent or are shaped piece formed bythe pieces a, a and having the socket b for the purpose of receiving a handle,

B is the message-holding portion of the device, being preferably made of metal, such as wire, 850., and having on one side the clip I) to receive the order, letter, or article to be received by the passing train. This clip I) is preferably made of two metallic pieces to receive between their surfaces the mail-matter and by their springy action clamp the same securely until released by the trainman. One side of the piece Bis made straight and of a length to correspond with the width of the piece a of the handle portion of the device, and at either side of said handle a are clips 0 c for the purpose of receiving and holding the portion B.

l D is a lug formed at the end of the hand1e= socket between the parts a a, the purpose of the same being to support a lamp, lantern, or other light, said lamp or other light having a metallic strap, recess, eye, or other receiving part for the lug.

The operation of the device is as follows: The message or other matter is placed in the clip I), and the part B being engaged by the clips 0 c the person delivering the mail holds the device by the handle a sufficient distance from the moving trainso that the engineer or other trainman may grasp the portion B or thrust his arm through the same and after detaching the mail therefrom drops said portion or leaves it at the next station.

It is obvious that my device may be operated automatically as well as manually. For instance, the handle may be pointed, so as to be stuck in the ground at a proper distance from the train, and a hook or other device may be attached to the train to receive the message-carrying portion, or the handle may be entirely of metal and have a sharp point, so that it may be driven into a post or other support along the line of the track.

Having now fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device of the character described, a handle-receiving socket, a message-holding portion detachable therefrom, clips on the handle-receiving socket to hold the messagecarrying portion, and a clip on the detachable part to receive and hold the mail.

2. In a device of the character described, a handle, a lamp-carrying device formed on said handle, a detachable message-carrying piece, and clips on the handle to hold said message-carrying portion.

3. In a device of the character described, a handle-receiving socket, a lug formed on the same and adapted to carry a light, a message-carrying portion, clips on the handle portion adapted to receive the message-carrying part, and a clip on the detachable message-carrying portion to receive and hold the message.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ZAGHARYMERIDETH.

Witnesses:

I). W. EASTMAN, B. W. JAoUrrn.

IOO 

